Examples Of Assimilation In Power Politics

“America has always welcomed anyone willing to assimilate to its national character.” For those who gracefully fall into american society and globalization this quote by author Nancy Pearcey may seem unassuming and seemingly unambiguous. A true statement in fact for those looking to fully integrate into american society, cut ties with their own cultural delineations, and adopt western ideas. With that said for those looking to hold on to their cultures while in American society or simply live in their society and embrace their own culture it has not always been so easy nor has America been as welcoming. This struggle is both witnessed and described in the novel's Power Politics by internationally acclaimed author Arundhati Roy and The Joy Luck Club by the illustrious author Amy Tan. Although analyzing the topic from different directions and perspective a common theme can be seen being highlighted in both books. That being that American integration and assimilation is not always easy, wanted, or welcomed.

In the novel power politics, particularly towards the end, Roy explains the struggle, humiliation, and dehumanization faced by non conforming american people and those living internationally who do not fit nor want to fit into the western mold.

This comes into play with the difficulties encountered by Indians and Muslims both in and out of America who are demonized and viewed as terrorist due to propaganda instated on whole societies and religions because of a mere few who decided to enact cruel crimes. For those who prefer their own cultural ways of living and those who refuse to meet western beauty and dress standards life both in and out of western society is made difficult. Not only are people often affected in everyday life due to contrived prejudice and stereotypes but some to the extent that their lives are endangered and their human needs are not able to be met and are at times being held from

them.

This topic is greatly expanded on in the last chapter of Power Politics in which Roy describes the effects of 9/11 and how they not only affected the lives of Indians and Muslims in America but those of them living in their own native countries. Titling the chapter War is Peace she describes how American government was able to use that horrific event to then enact horrible terrorist like act on other groups of innocents and still claim to be “peaceful people,” (127). Through these acts they were able to promote war as a peaceful act even as they killed and destroyed the lives of people who in no way were involved in the act. Even for those living in America and wanting to assimilate within the society life was made harder for them and crimes of hate enacted against these people seen as justifiable. The overall novel, and more so this section, really demonstrates the struggle encountered by non western conforming countries and their people and how easy it can be to barbarize these places in the western society.

Although demonstrating the viewpoints of a Chinese American the same struggle of assimilation and integration is assessed and demonstrated in the novel The Joy Luck Club. Tan analyzes the topic from a different position changing the perspective and writing about the struggles encountered by someone who is trying to integrate their foreign life into a not so kind or accepting American society. This is witnessed through the characters Jing- mei Woo, also known by her american name June, and her mother Suyuan Woo. Although deceased when the novel begins Suyuan’s life and struggles are told through the words of her Americanized daughter Jing-mei.

Traveling to America after the bombing of her home in China Suyuan struggles to transition into American society and raise her daughter in a way that is both true to her culture and true to her new home. Through Jing-mei’s stories the turbulence throughout their relationship is seen and it is apparent that the integration was neither easy nor always enjoyable for both the mother and daughter. Due to the different cultural norms in American and China the pair struggles to relate to one another and fully understand each other actions. With Jing- mei’s social norms being based on an American perspective and Suyuan’s being from China they constantly bump heads. When joining the Joy Luck Club, to begin her journey on better understanding her mother after she has passed, Jing-Mei begins to see the world from her mother’s friends viewpoints and through this better understand her mother. She begins to understand that “In [her], they see their own daughters, just as ignorant. . . . who will bear grandchildren born without any connecting hope passed from generation to generation,” and that this is possibly a worry her mother had while raising her in an Western society.

Overall, both Roy and Tan greatly encompass the struggle many immigrants and non westerners face in a world that is ran through the views of a western based society that is not always accepting of them or their views. The Joy Luck Club wonderfully demonstrates this perspective through the stories of multiple women who take pride in their culture, want their children to know where they come from, and are not as willing to conform to the American lifestyle at the sake of their own cultural integrity. Power Politics also tackles this subject from the perspective of people from other cultures and societies who are suffering through the dehumanizing effects of war, globalization, and assimilation. Both are powerful books that contribute to the conversation surrounding the topic of assimilation, appropriation, and integration.